[Smitty901]

You need to stay clean to stay healthy. How long before you have to start marking lye soap?
Stocking up on dish soaps Like dawn can by you time. If SHTF in winter you sure don't want to be out making soap.
Dish soap in very concentrated so it goes a long way. It can be used to clean dishes ,eating areas even you body and as shampoo
The storage rack has a slot for it here

 

[MountainMan]

I was glad to see this thread come up. I have a different view because we're planning for long term self sustainability so making soap is going to be a big deal and stocking up won't be.

For the average prepper I'd say stock up a few months, maybe 3, and after that start making your own for every day use. That way you don't have to worry about it.

Same principle I apply to most things. If you don't rely on others now, you won't have to worry about what to do when you can't.

 

[MountainMan]

Also, believe it or not, sand works in a pinch. So will crushed stones (though they aren't super comfy). The idea is to scrub off old dead skin and with it much of the bacteria that resides there.

 

[Smitty901]

Also, believe it or not, sand works in a pinch. So will crushed stones (though they aren't super comfy). The idea is to scrub off old dead skin and with it much of the bacteria that resides there.

The Greek used oil and a stick.
We will make lye soap but what I am making sure of is the first winter we can ease into task rather than all at once.

 

[Fuzzee]

Making soap is one those things I've never tried. I know what's packed in my BOB and I have in the house, but long term it's one of those aspect where a collective of individuals and strengths will have to come into play for long term survival. People will have to join together in making, sharing or trading when society falls or it's going to be a tough haul.

 

[MountainMan]

Making soap is one those things I've never tried. I know what's packed in my BOB and I have in the house, but long term it's one of those aspect where a collective of individuals and strengths will have to come into play for long term survival. People will have to join together in making, sharing or trading when society falls or it's going to be a tough haul.

You've heard about our ecovillage/prepper community right?

 

[Smitty901]

Making soap is one those things I've never tried. I know what's packed in my BOB and I have in the house, but long term it's one of those aspect where a collective of individuals and strengths will have to come into play for long term survival. People will have to join together in making, sharing or trading when society falls or it's going to be a tough haul.

It will take time for things to settle before and group cooperation would be wise. Another reason why we have 25-30 involved in our group. and age spread is needed the young can work more . You need the range of skills.
We have a blacksmith also he will begin teaching his craft right off the bat. Things like making soap covered we have a few that lived that life. making charcoal another need skill.
I would hope a year or two some over all control would return. But not counting on it.
Our country is 99% dependent on produced food sources if you gave them a 50lb bag of corn they would not know what to do with. They probably sell it and buy an I phone.

 

[Fuzzee]

You've heard about our ecovillage/prepper community right?

I've heard you mention it before. I don't know more than that though. Seeing the NC and OH in your location I just figured it was up north with me being down south. I've got people counting on me already when shtf so my situation is kinda set.

I'll just have to use sand, whatever dish soap is around, or go straight water bathing in the creek and go stinky if it turns out that way.

:mrgreen:

 

[Watercanlady]

I have ingredients purchased to make lye soap, laundry det., and fabric softener. But I also have several bars of soap, laundry det. And dish soap stored. Buy Ivory bar soap it is cheap and will float if you need to use the creek or pond. The older the bar of soap is it gets harder and will last a lot longer.

 

[wesley762]

I guess I would like to add to this, I have not bought bar soap in like 14 years. with Coupons I have like a years worth of body wash on hand and paid like 10 bucks. would you keep bar soap also?

 

[WoadWarrior]

Well... I live in what's considered a high desert. As such, we have TONS of yucca plants... Which is the desert equivalent of soaproot (a type of plant). So... I'm covered on naturally occurring soap.

 

[MountainMan]

Well... I live in what's considered a high desert. As such, we have TONS of yucca plants... Which is the desert equivalent of soaproot (a type of plant). So... I'm covered on naturally occurring soap.

You lucky SOB. Yucca has so many cool uses.

 

[MountainMan]

I guess I would like to add to this, I have not bought bar soap in like 14 years. with Coupons I have like a years worth of body wash on hand and paid like 10 bucks. would you keep bar soap also?

Are you one of those coupon freaks? I'd love to learn about that.

 

[MountainMan]

Can anybody post some soap recipes? Different kinds with different uses? If one of you smarties knows enough, we could all start looking for the supplies around us just in case.

 

[inceptor]

Can anybody post some soap recipes? Different kinds with different uses? If one of you smarties knows enough, we could all start looking for the supplies around us just in case.

Google soap making. I found a recipe there that I need to start making soon. There are 2 types I have seen so far, clothes and hand soap. That was as far as I took it.

 

[preppermama]

This will probably sound gross, but I actually stopped using soap/shampoo/deodorant years ago. LOL. I try to use more natural alternatives like vinegar, milk of magnesia, baking soda, coconut milk/oil, etc. I've had only positive results doing it and I know I don't smell bad As a prepper, I really like the idea of stockpiling products that have multiple uses which all those products do.

My motivation for not using the commercial soap products is that I have extremely sensitive skin that breaks out with even the most sensitive of soaps. Also, there are so many NASTY chemicals in that stuff, especially the cheap stuff you get on coupons. There are definitely links between deodorant usage and breast cancer.

I do, however, use laundry soap. I love the homemade laundry soap recipes out there and would recommend stockpiling ingredients for those. One batch lasts us 6 months.

 

[MountainMan]

Yeah, I've googled recipes but I was interested in hearing about what's worked for folks here.

 

[Prince Humperdink]

Well... I live in what's considered a high desert. As such, we have TONS of yucca plants... Which is the desert equivalent of soaproot (a type of plant). So... I'm covered on naturally occurring soap.

We have yucca everywhere as well.Just break open and add moisture...whallah!

 

[WoadWarrior]

That... and you can eat the roots... use the seeds for flour... pull threads out of the leaves and make cordage... use the spines on the ends for needles, awls, nails (that are semi-useful when hardened by heat), blowgun darts, pull up an entire plant and whack a bad guy with it, etc.

 

[RaigenB]

For those who may not know how to make soap, Pinterest has a lot of "How-To's". They even have some on how to make deodorant. My Pinterest, RaigenB, has them in my "Homesteading" or "Prepping/Surviving" board.